Murtha: US Needs Redeployment Strategy From Iraq

War hero and Iraq withdrawal proponent Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) justly received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Center for National Policy yesterday.

After his recognition, Murtha gave an informative speech justifying his position in favor of redeploying US troops from Iraq. "Despite several milestone events that were heralded as turning points," he said, "violence has continued to escalate."

"The vast majority of Army units in the United States are at the lowest state of readiness . . . That’s why I say the policy of 'staying the course' or of 'waiting to see' in Iraq is hurting our national security, has weakened our military and has impeded our ability to respond to present and future threats."

Murtha offered several statistics that present a troubling picture of the current situation, which he described as a civil war:

More than 14,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed this year alone. Sectarian killings have surpassed deaths attributed to terrorism.

An average of more than 100 civilians per day were killed in Iraq last month.

The number of attacks per day has grown from about 50 in 2004 to well over 100 today.

Unemployment is 60% nation wide and 90% in Al Anbar Province.

In 2003, the average monthly war expenditures in Iraq were about $4 billion; in 2004 we spent $5 billion a month; in 2005 $6 billion; and today we are spending $8 billion per month in Iraq . . . That’s $11 million per hour.

"A plan to rebuild our military, a plan to regain our international credibility, a plan to make America stronger starts with the recognition of this fact: While we are militarily engaged in Iraq, we are weaker not stronger," Murtha said. "Ultimately the Iraqis must take control of their own security situation."